ESPN released its list ranking the top 25 Olympians of the 21st century, complete with five U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes and alumni. Mikaela Shiffrin, Shaun White, Lindsey Vonn, Chloe Kim and Lindsey Jacobellis all placed within the list. 

Shiffrin was the top ranked U.S. Ski & Snowboard athlete listed in fifth. She is a three-time Olympic medalist and two-time gold medalist, and the winningest skier of all-time with 97 World Cup wins and 60 World Cup slalom wins, the most in a single discipline. 

At number seven is retired snowboard star Shaun White. White is a three-time Olympic gold medalist in halfpipe and is a 15-time X Games medalist. One of the most successful men’s snowboarders in history, he is still active in the action sports world, launching his own professional snowboard and freeski league. 

Snowboarder Chloe Kim came in at number 12 on the list. Kim is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, nine-time X Games medalist and the youngest woman to win Olympic halfpipe gold. She is still actively competing and is a fierce competitor on the international circuit. 

Retired alpine skier Lindsey Vonn is ranked 16th on the list of top Olympians. Vonn is a three-time Olympic medalist, gold medalist and holds 82 world cup victories to her name. Vonn was widely known to be a speed force within the world of alpine skiing. She was also known to have impressive injury comebacks in her tenure within the sport. 

Ranked 20th on the list of top Olympians is snowboard cross athlete and most decorated snowboarder in history Lindsey Jacobellis. Jacobellis is a three-time Olympic medalist and won two golds medals at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Jacobellis is the first snowboarder to win multiple golds in one Olympic Games when she earned gold in individual snowboard cross and mixed team. 

The list contained a myriad of other top and widely known international Olympic athletes including Michael Phelps ranked first, gymnastics star Simone Biles at number two as well as many other sports stars across track, cycling, hockey and more. The full list is found here. 

(Salt Lake City, UT) - July 24, 2024 — Salt Lake City, Utah has been selected to host the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, a decision made during the 142nd International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in Paris, France, on July 24, 2024. The historic decision marks the fifth time the Winter Olympic Games have been held in the USA and 32 years since Utah last hosted the world.

The anticipation for the 2034 Games is already building, with the Olympics tentatively scheduled from February 10-26 and the Paralympics from March 10-19, 2034. This nomination places Utah in a unique position, continuing America's proud legacy of hosting the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, with previous events in Lake Placid (1932, 1980), Olympic Valley (1960), and Salt Lake City (2002).

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has a strong history with the Games. More than 40% of Team USA is made up of U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes and U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes traditionally win more than 60% of medals earned at the Games. The Utah Olympics are particularly exciting, as U.S. Ski & Snowboard is headquartered in Park City, Utah at the USANA Center of Excellence powered by iFit. 

The 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are scheduled to use 13 existing venues from the 2002 Games alongside a single temporary venue. The venues will span the state, with skiing and snowboarding events expected to be hosted at Deer Valley Resort, Solider Hollow Nordic Center, Park City Mountain, Snowbasin Resort, the Utah Olympic Park, and a temporary structure for freeski and snowboard big air in downtown Salt Lake City. 

“We are thrilled to have Salt Lake City, Utah formally selected to host another Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, who was at the bid announcement in Paris. “We know that the Games helps to inspire the world and the next generation of athletes, and we are looking forward to being strong supporters and ambassadors of the Games in our home of Utah.”

“I'm so excited and honored to be part of the team officially bringing the Olympics back to Salt Lake City!” said Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn, who was part of the presentation in Paris and is Chair of Athlete Experience for the Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 bid committee. “This feels like a full circle moment for me, remembering the magic of my first Olympics here in 2002. As Chair of Athlete Experience for Salt Lake City-Utah 2034, my focus is on creating an unparalleled experience not just for the athletes, but for the families who support them every step of the way. Salt Lake City is such a special place, and I'm excited to share it with the world again."

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For further information, please contact:
Leann Bentley
Communications Manager, U.S. Ski & Snowboard
leann.bentley@usskiandsnowboard.org

Park City, UT & Ventura, CA (June 27, 2024) – U.S. Ski & Snowboard and X Games announce a strategic partnership for the world’s best action snow sports athletes. This unique collaboration will unite two prominent organizations to create The Winter X Games Series, including the U.S. Ski & Snowboard-hosted FIS World Cup events, the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix and Visa Big Air presented by Toyota, alongside Winter X Games.

X Games and U.S. Ski & Snowboard aim to further elevate snowboarding and freeskiing competition, including creating an athletic pathway to the Winter X Games. Winners of the Toyota U.S. Grand Prix and Visa Big Air events will receive guaranteed invitations to Winter X. The next podium place will be invited if the winners have already secured an invitation. Additionally, the next generation of the nation’s best freeskiers and snowboarders will have the opportunity to rise to the X Games based on results from the Revolution Tour, U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s development series, which will also be co-branded with X Games. U.S. Ski & Snowboard and X Games will also collaborate on the calendar and events, including adding X Games-specific disciplines like knuckle huck and street style to the U.S. World Cup weekends, which already include FIS-level halfpipe, slopestyle and big air. 

The collaboration will also involve co-branding and co-promotion efforts, leveraging the strengths of both organizations to enhance the visibility and engagement of athletes and their stories. U.S. Ski & Snowboard and X Games will also share content, ensuring comprehensive coverage and extending the reach for all events and athletes.

"Collaborating with X Games is an exciting step forward in our mission to provide more world class competitive opportunities for freeskiers and snowboarders," said Sophie Goldschmidt, U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO. "With the recent announcements from X Games regarding their expansion to include more events in various locations and Shaun White’s Snow League, these sports have unmistakable momentum in the market and we are enthusiastic to work together to see them grow.”

Added Scott Guglielmino, X Games President and COO, “As we build toward the X Games League format, this partnership will allow us to deliver on the promise of more world class competitions and a more consistent schedule for the athletes. Working with U.S. Ski & Snowboard will ensure we support and grow the athlete pipeline, which will benefit the entire industry.”

Stay tuned for further announcements regarding event locations, dates and additional details.

For more information, please contact:
Courtney Harkins
Director of Marketing & Communications, U.S. Ski & Snowboard
courtney.harkins@usskiandsnowboard.org

Grace Coryell
Event Communications Director, X Games
grace.coryell@xgames.com

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ABOUT U.S. SKI & SNOWBOARD 
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic and Paralympic National Governing Body (NGB) of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Tracing its roots directly back to 1905, the organization represents nearly 200 elite skiers and snowboarders competing on 10 teams: alpine, cross country, freestyle moguls, freestyle aerials, snowboard, freeski, nordic combined, ski jumping, Para alpine and Para snowboard. In addition to the elite teams, U.S. Ski & Snowboard also provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders across the USA, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success and the value of team. For more information, visit www.usskiandsnowboard.org.

ABOUT X GAMES
Since its inception in 1995, X Games has been the leading action sports competition and lifestyle brand, spotlighting the world’s best action sports athletes against the backdrop of each individual host city. Over the past 29 years, X Games has organized the world’s premier action sports events around the globe, complemented by top musical performances, year-round content and fan experiences.  A major expansion of the brand — X Games League (XGL) — will debut in 2026. XGL will introduce a new global, team-based format and a consistent, year-round international competition calendar. In 2022 MSP Sports Capital (MSP) acquired a majority interest in X Games. ESPN televises X Games and remains a minority partner.